As the sun rises over the lush green hills and the birds begin to chirp, a sense of peace and serenity envelopes the landscape. It’s the perfect setting for a place to unwind, rejuvenate and connect with oneself.
And at the heart of this tranquillity is Diana Richardson, Founder & CEO, who has created Orchids Retreat for those seeking solace from the stresses of modern life. Diana has poured her heart and soul into crafting an experience that not only heals the body and mind but also nourishes the soul. With a passion for wellness and a deep understanding of the human spirit, she has become an iconic figure in the world of retreats, inspiring countless individuals to embark on their own journeys of self-discovery and transformation.
Nestled in the serene and lush surroundings of the countryside, Orchids Retreat is the epitome of luxury and relaxation. The retreat offers guests a unique opportunity to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life and immerse themselves in a tranquil oasis of calm.
With world-class amenities and exceptional service, every aspect of the retreat is designed to provide a truly rejuvenating and memorable experience. Whether one may seek solitude or adventure, the retreat offers a range of activities to suit all tastes, from indulgent spa treatments to outdoor excursions in the breath-taking landscape.
Let’s dive into insights into Diana’s journey to venturing into the service industry as an entrepreneur!
Orchids Retreats’ Foundation
The foundation pillar of Orchids Retreat is to help others put their best face forward.
According to Diana, the foundation of Orchid’s retreat is based on this belief, “We believe in natural beauty and helping make others look and feel better about themselves.”
Making Strides in the Right Direction
Diana’s professional journey began in 2000 when she was at University in Las Vegas; she was studying communication and Spanish language and worked in a spa at the Luxor. She has been passionate about the beauty industry since she was nine years old and over the past three decades, that passion has been embedded further and imprinted on many others through treatment, education and amongst her peers.
She has successfully built two start-ups from £0 to six figures and now has a coaching business to help others grow and develop their skillset and business acumen. She is now the CEO of over five companies, shares her expertise on a Podcast called Glowgetter – Beauty Entrepreneur 101, and is the proud winner of over thirty industry awards from a PHAB Service star (the beauty industry’s Michelin star), BABTAC and CIBTAC Beauty Therapist of the Year and many business awards.
Promoting Workforce Flexibility
Orchids Retreat is about community spirit and teamwork. The retreat has several team members who are working mothers to enable flexible working hours to suit childcare responsibilities offering the opportunity for newly qualified and training therapists to join the team helping them gain industry experience to build a strong skillset and foundation in the industry.
Mentoring new individuals to industry and providing a very strong support network that promotes education and equality. As a founder and a mother, she leads by example.
While talking about personal and professional life, Diana says, “Family comes first, and maintaining a work-life balance is important to our team’s wellbeing.”
Influencing the Industry
The significant impact that Diana has brought to the industry is sharing her knowledge and expertise with other professionals, inspiring up-and-coming therapists through teaching and helping them further develop their skill set and educating her clients about how to be their own skin experts and put their best face forward.
Overcoming Obstacles
Diana has not become an overnight success, with over two decades of experience there have been many challenges along the way. The pandemic hit her industry hard, but there have been a lot of other obstacles along her professional journey. She has had to start over in the business world several times–the first being in 2013 when she had both wrists in thermodynamic splints due to injury. She grew the business from only few clients into an award-winning bespoke salon in 2016 also winning the BABTAC and CIBTAC Beauty Therapist of the Year and Gold Awards for her contribution to the Beauty Industry.
In 2021 choosing to swim upstream, Diana prevailed against challenges presented by the restrictions of the global pandemic. She turned the challenge into an opportunity when a local salon was closing to sign a fifteen-year lease and take on a six-treatment room clinic. She was a solopreneur at this point which is presently expanded to a team of 10 beauty, aesthetic and holistic therapists offering a wide variety of treatments to their community.
At the end of 2021, Diana entered a cycling challenge to ride a road bike from Lands’ End to John O’Groats, basically the length of the UK. After Day 3, Diana’s hands were like claws from being in the saddle for twelve hours a day. Unfortunately, she had to step out of the 960-mile race and was told that her career as a therapist was over. Her incredible resilience to fight the odds pushed her through months of treatment and physiotherapy to be back in the treatment room three months later and go on to win UK Beauty Therapist of the Year 2022. Diana’s grit and determination to help others propels her through challenges and her mindset is to create opportunities out of obstacles.
Benefiting from Technology
Technology is an asset to the industry, as it evolves so do the treatments and ways that can further help retreat clientele. Whether that’s through digital services, online booking systems and communication channels, social media or technology in the treatment room. Diana’s perspective on adapting and benefitting from technology, she said, “We are constantly learning, developing and leveraging new treatments and technological opportunities.”
Future Readiness
The next significant change in the industry is the aftermath of excess Botox, fillers, etc. Everyone is big on plumping and quick results. Diana mentions, “Soon we will have to help client’s re-tone their skin and help to treat people after they’ve overdone it on the aesthetics.”
Natural skincare and beauty are the way forward, and educating people about how to look after and treat their skin through professional treatment and homecare is the service foundation. She adds, “The skin is our biggest organ; we only get one face, and we are here to help educate and demonstrate how to put your best face forward.”
Future Aspirations
Diana’s goal in the near future is to author a book and have it published. She would also like to further develop Signature D Coaching to launch an Orchids Retreat Franchise model across the UK and internationally. She would like to create a household name brand and is looking at expanding her artisan skincare range Aurum D to distribute to a wider network and further develop into being a category of one.
Success Strategies
Diana’s advice is to dream big, design your destiny and take imperfect action. She shares, “We learn as we grow and develop; just get started!”
